Summary
- 2K Sports is reportedly planning to develop a standalone college basketball game, separate from the NBA 2K titles.
- The game is expected to include more than 100 men’s and women’s college teams, primarily from the Power 4 conferences (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, SEC).
- Teams will reportedly receive “fair market value” under the NIL agreement, enabling players to legally profit from their name, image, and likeness.
2K Sports’ Standalone College Basketball Game in Development
With the NCAA’s NIL agreement enabling college athletes to profit from their name and likeness, 2K Sports is reportedly aiming to capitalise on this opportunity by developing a standalone college basketball game.
Sources reveal the game will feature more than 100 men’s and women’s teams, focusing mainly on schools from the Power 4 conferences, such as the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, and SEC. This approach may leave out several strong programs, potentially impacting the authenticity of tournament experiences like March Madness.
Unlike earlier plans to introduce college basketball as downloadable content for NBA 2K26, 2K now appears committed to creating a full game leveraging its current engine technology.
This could allow for a faster development cycle and a possible release as early as 2027. However, this timing depends heavily on licensing agreements and the scope of the project.
Competition with EA Sports and NIL Licensing Impact
2K Sports’ pursuit of a college basketball game comes as EA Sports successfully relaunched its college football title and is expected to release a college basketball game as well, with an exclusive licensing deal targeting a 2028 launch.
2K’s plan to compensate schools with fair market value for NIL rights reflects the growing importance of these agreements in sports gaming.
The competition between these two major publishers could reshape the college sports gaming landscape. Still, both face challenges in licensing the hundreds of Division 1 basketball programs and providing an authentic experience for fans.
Official details are still pending, with announcements likely closer to major basketball events like March Madness.
